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Punjab govt says Ahsan Iqbal out of danger after bullet hits him in arm and entered abdomen
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Police says suspect Abid has been arrested
NAROWAL: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday was injured after an assailant opened fire at him during a corner meeting of the party in Narowal’s Kanjrur area.
According to the media reports, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader was attacked when he was leaving the event held at MPA Rana Manan’s residence.
In the first instance of violence ahead of elections, the initial medical reports suggest that a single bullet hit him in the right arm and entered in abdomen, after which he was soon rushed to Narowal’s District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) amid tight security.
According to police, they have arrested the assailant, Abid, 21, a resident of Shakargarh’s Veram area, and have launched an investigation. Initial reports claim that the accused was born on May 13, 1995, and has been to Dubai in the past.
After Punjab government spokesperson’s initial assurance of Ahsan Iqbal being out of danger, he has been shifted to Lahore’s Services Hospital via helicopter where the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself has arrived to overview the arrangments for his treatment. Reportely, the entry of the general public in the hospital has been temporarily banned.
State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudry has released a statement in which he also confirmed that the suspect was arrested immediately after the attack.
CONDEMNATIONS:
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussein responded to the unfortunate incident and strongly condemned the attack on the interior minister.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while condemning the attack, has asked Punjab inspector general police to give to submit a report of the incident. The chief minister also condemned the attack and ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said that he would personally be monitoring the investigation of the assassination attempt.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed also condemned the assassination attempt on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
They termed the incident an attack on the entire State and not only on the interior minister. They said that the incident should be investigated and those responsible should be brought to the book.
The disqualified former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif condemned the attacked and offered his unflinching support to the interior minister.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan tweeted immediately after the incident and condemned the attack.
Strongly condemn attack on Ahsan Iqbal today.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 6, 2018
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Opposition Leader and Khursheed Shah and Punjab President Qamar-u-Zaman Qaira also condemned the incident.
#PPP Chairman @BBhuttoZardari strongly condemns attack on Interior Minister #AhsanIqbal in Narowal https://t.co/nkDg7obZQF
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 6, 2018
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also condemned the attacked and prayed for the speedy recovery of the interior minister, an Inter-Services Public Relations statement said.
COAS condemns firing on Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Expresses best wishes for early recovery.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) May 6, 2018
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President and former prime minister Chaudhary Shujat Hussain and senior central leader and former deputy prime minister Chaudhary Parvez Elahi also condemned firing on the Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal in the strongest words and said that the culprits be apprehended at the earliest and given exemplary punishment.
In show of solidarity, Ahsan Iqbal’s political rival in Narowal and singer-cum-PTI leader Abrar-ul-Haq expressed his condemnation in a tweet while offering Iqbal treatment at his Sahara Trust Hospital.
I strongly condemn the attack on Ahsan Iqbal and thanks to Allah swt that he is out of danger … Ahsan Sb you are more than welcome to use international facilities available at Sahara hospital where our professor doctors will take care of you . Get well soon
— Abrar Ul Haq (@AbrarUlHaqPK) May 6, 2018
According to the media reports, Ahsan Iqbal was informed five days ago by intelligence agencies about a possible attempt on his life.
Earlier in February this year, a shoe was hurled at the interior minister while he was addressing workers in Narowal.
Numerous key political figures have been assassinated in such attacks including, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman and twice prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Punjab governor Salman Taseer, former Punjab home minister Shuja Khanzada and others.
